Judges 14:17 — Meaning and Application

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? {is it} not {so}? {take...: Heb. possess us, or, impoverish us?}

And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told {it} me. And he said unto her, Behold, I have not told {it} my father nor my mother, and shall I tell {it} thee?

And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she told the riddle to the children of her people. {the seven...: or, the rest of the seven days}

And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What {is} sweeter than honey? and what {is} stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.

And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house. {spoil: or, apparel}